Magnitude of vitamin A deficiency in poor communities of the four selected districts of Punjab using - [rapid assessment technique]

To determine the prevalence and associated factors responsible for vitamin A deficiency [VAD], a survey was carried out in the 21 selected villages of the 4 selected districts of Punjab, using a rapid assessment technique in July-August 1998. A total of 1526 pre-school going children from 6 months to 6 years were examined for Night Blindness [XN], Bitot's Spots [X1B] and Corneal Scars [XS]. Prevalence of VAD came as 6.4% [97 cases], out of which 0.8% [12 cases] were of XN, 5.4% [82 cases] were of X1B and 0.2% [3 cases] were of XS. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Sixty four percent of VAD occurred between ages 4 to 6 years having weights between 15 to 17 kg, which was below the recommended weights. The reason for malnourishment was that majority of VAD cases had diarrhea. Other factors responsible for high prevalence were poor socioeconomic conditions, increased number of children per household, lack of mother's education, low monthly family income, lack of proper breast-feeding, and inadequate usage of vitamin A rich items, like milk and milk products, liver, fish, eggs and mangoes. The reason for not consuming vitamin A rich food was cost of items. The biggest barrier responsible for VAD was poverty. Thus, vitamin A deficiency is a significant major public health problem in the poor communities of Punjab